The Chargers released three veterans Tuesday morning, clearing nearly $20 million in cap space before the start of free agency.

The team parted ways with offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, receiver Stevie Johnson, and cornerback Brandon Flowers, all of whom have either struggled with injuries or underperformed relative to their salaries.

The Chargers had left the NFL Scouting Combine with approximately $6 million in cap space, with a franchise tag on pass rusher Melvin Ingram costing them $14.5 million. Still, general manager Tom Telesco seemed optimistic about his team’s financial flexibility entering free agency, which starts at 1 p.m. Thursday.

“Just cap wise, we can get done what we need to get done,” he said last week in Indianapolis.

Selected No. 11 overall in 2013, Fluker had started 59 games as a Charger — including nearly two seasons at right guard — but was owed $8.8 million this upcoming season. He is one of several first-rounders in his draft class who are no longer with their original teams, a list that includes linebacker Barkevious Mingo (No. 6 overall), offensive lineman Jonathan Cooper (No. 7), and cornerback Dee Milliner (No. 9).

Johnson had 497 receiving yards in 2015, but missed all of last season with a torn meniscus. He was due a base salary of $3.5 million.

Flowers had played well after signing a four-year, $34.6 million contract with the Chargers in 2014, but the former Pro Bowler has been diagnosed with four concussions in the past three years. He turned 31 last month, and could be considering retirement.

Although contracts won’t be inked until Thursday, the NFL’s legal tampering period began at 9 a.m. Tuesday, allowing teams to negotiate freely with agents.

Jack Wang covers the Chargers, the latest NFL team to relocate to Los Angeles. He previously covered the Rams, and also spent four years on the UCLA beat, a strange period in which the Bruins' football program often outpaced their basketball team. He is a proud graduate of UC Berkeley, where he spent most of his time in The Daily Californian offices in Eshleman Hall — a building that did not become earthquake-safe until after his time on campus.